RoadRetro's Travel Journal

Charlies, San Nicolaas, Aruba

2011-02-12T11:01:00.000-06:00

Our new friend Liz hanging out with us in Aruba

2011-02-11T09:06:00.000-06:00

Beautiful Sunset in Aruba

2011-02-10T17:25:00.001-06:00

Suffering in Curaçao

2011-02-10T13:45:00.000-06:00

Jaanchies Restaurant... Birds flying all around!

2011-02-09T12:09:00.000-06:00

Sunset Today in Curaçao

2011-02-08T16:28:00.000-06:00

Willemstad

2011-02-07T16:12:00.000-06:00

Photogenic but not big, quiet late in the day once the cruise ships get ready to sail. Lots and lots of europeans!

Storm photo 8.30am

2011-02-02T08:37:00.001-06:00

Across the street.

Storm photo 8pm

2011-02-01T20:12:00.001-06:00

Super windy 50+mph. Windows shaking. Temp 21F on our deck. Streetlights back on and plows regular.

Storm @ 6pm

2011-02-01T18:11:00.001-06:00

Lights went out

Storm hourly photo 5pm local

2011-02-01T17:07:00.000-06:00

83 and sunny in Phoenix...

2010-11-18T16:39:00.001-06:00

... And I have to work. Boo Hoo!

Music by Copeland @ the CSO... Sublime!

2010-11-04T22:16:00.001-05:00

95 floors above Chicago

2010-10-21T15:03:00.001-05:00

The Signature Lounge on a gorgeous day!

Atlanta!

2010-10-13T17:16:00.001-05:00

In downtown atlanta tonight and tomorrow for a fabulous conference...
Always excited to go to this one, best in class... This is a view from my
window. Staying at the Hyatt Place downtown which is... Exactly like any
other hyatt place just bigger... Funny, great view of the Hyatt Regency
(bldg with dome)...

Snowcapped Andes behind Santiago this morning

2010-09-27T09:29:00.001-05:00

Wow! Inspiring!

Beautiful Santiago!

2010-09-25T13:34:00.001-05:00

Sun is finally out but it is cool, maybe 55 degrees. Listening to MSU
spank No Colorado on the radio here in my room thanks to the internet. Go
State!

Stranded In Downtown Battle Creek

2010-09-17T12:43:00.001-05:00

Amtrak does it again! 1 hour delay due to freight traffic and rail work.
Then the train abruptly stopped outside of Kalamazoo due to a "near miss" -
a trespasser was nearly hit by the train. Legally an inspection required
before continuing.

5 hours later we get to.... Kalamazoo! Then finally a quick jaunt to
Battle Creek only to be delayed 500 yards from the station for another 10
minutes as we were not given permission to stop.
Of course my transfer bus to East Lansing long departed and the next bus
is... in 3 and a half hours! Needless to say the 20 or so kids going to
East Lansing with me are royally pissed for missing the partying that
awaits them.

Me.... I got a refund for the bus portion, took a walk to downtown and
plopped my ass on a barstool at the Arcadia Brewing Company. I'll put my
refund into lunch and a beer as I wait for my bro to pick me up.

If only the Spartan kids down the street at the station knew they were so
close to beer....

Folsom Prison Blues in Nashville

2010-08-04T20:06:00.001-05:00

At a Honky Tonk in Nashville. Playing Johnny Cash and 80's country.

Fun!

A walk in Central Park

2010-07-30T12:42:00.000-05:00

Finally it has cooled down in NYC, a great time for a quick lunch walk
through the park. Beautiful weather!

Home in a few hours... NYC was nice but very much looking forward to the
weekend!

New York! But can anyone explain why it takes a half hour to find an empty cab in a city of 15 million?!

2010-07-29T16:27:00.001-05:00

What a sight to see!!

2010-07-22T09:54:00.001-05:00

Ancient Delos... Immense and spectacular!

2010-07-20T05:52:00.001-05:00

Very hot under the blinding sun. Takes a half hour by ferry and is the
isle adjacent to Mykonos.

Spectacular, it is an entire city. Many parts sufficiently intact that
you can close your eyes and imagine the ancient Greeks going to the
theatre, watch sport or even shop and live their lives.

At the very end off the beaten path I found a piece of marble etched with
Roman carvings... fascinating as it shows how the site evolved.

The site is completely overrun by weeds and you can walk anywhere, even on
top of the sides of buildings.

My favorite part was seeing the side wall of the stadium and the shops next
to the wall, you could see how people sold food and souvenirs back then.
I also loved walking to the top of the theatre and looking down, you can
totally imagine it filled with people watching plays...

Now on boat ride back to lovely Mykonos town where I will meet with Andrew
and have lunch!

Yes, that is a pelican walking through our restaurant...

2010-07-19T12:45:00.001-05:00

Mykonos is amazing!

Having a beer in Mykonos... This is the view...

2010-07-19T08:26:00.001-05:00

Wow!

Mykonos=€$£

2010-07-19T05:34:00.000-05:00

Wow.

So we wake up and go downstairs to breakfast overlooking the stunning beach
and just see even more yachts the size of a small cruise liner. Then on
our way to the beach... By the way where many women are topless... We pass
by a taxi (1 of only 30 on the island) that was a gorgeous silver Mercedes
sedan with black leather interior.

Our hotel is filled with older people, some families but also many 30s
couples... Straight and gay... Very interesting, and lots of money.

About to head back to the hotel to shower, change and head off to Hora to
check it out.

Mykonos!

2010-07-18T12:10:00.000-05:00

First impression .... Wow they have big yachts here!!!

Temple of Demitris in Naxos

2010-07-18T04:56:00.001-05:00

Very interesting. This temple is a key in classic Greek architecture as it
was the first clear example of temples made entirely of marble and also
showed exact roof structures. Over time was converted into a church but
remains now are predominantly of the Greek temple.

Hot arid location in central Naxos. Reminds me very much of the
California Gold Country.

Now having lunch in the cute town of Piloti before heading up to the set
community of Apirathos...

Temple of Apollo in Naxos

2010-07-18T02:27:00.001-05:00

Right off town center, amazing ruins that are really beautiful at sunset
and lit up at night.

Naxos is a very late starting, late night town. Dinner gets going around
10pm... Shops open until late...

Off to tour the island by car before ferry to Mykonos...

Tonights dinner in Naxos

2010-07-17T10:20:00.000-05:00

Macedonian Beer in Naxos, Greece... Refreshing!

2010-07-17T05:32:00.001-05:00

Paros from the ferry...

2010-07-16T11:14:00.001-05:00

Next stop Naxos!

Ios from the ferry

2010-07-16T09:46:00.001-05:00

Looks beautiful but we're not going. Tons of 20 year olds on our ferry
getting off and tons here @ port waiting to get on. The ferry goes next to
Paros then Naxos (our stop) before going to Mykonos.

I have a feeling the kids are on their way to Mykonos...

Last day in Santorini

2010-07-16T05:51:00.000-05:00

On our way to Naxos. Yesterday we drove to Ancient Thira which was a 1000
foot steep drive up a cliff. The ruins were amazing from ancient Greek and
Roman times, but hella windy. At times we thought we would be blown over.

We had lunch in a little resort town with a black sand beach. They sell
water shoes so you can walk on the sand it is so hot, but lots of tourists
still. Very cute path along the beach with predictable beach stores...

Then we drove along the coast to Oia which is so spectacular Andrew kept
calling it "sick"... Stunningly gorgeous and certainly the highlight of the
island. Sweeping hotels going down the cliffs with pools and bars at
random levels, all in the typical white stone. Wow. Spread out are
little stores and cafes. A very hot day in the sun, maybe 90.

We ended up having dinner at a little restaurant at the bottom of the town,
which amazingly enough you can drive to. Fish and incredible views.

Drove back and collapsed in hotel for another 11 hour sleep. Now we sit
in our local cafe having wine and Greek salad overlooking the central
square before we head off to the island of Naxos by ferry. This time
staying in town at a pension... A far cry from the Relais& Chateaux
experience we just had but surely fun...

Beautiful Oia, Santorini

2010-07-15T08:47:00.001-05:00

Stunning!

Day sail around Santorini

2010-07-14T08:05:00.000-05:00

Amazing day sailing on a boat with 8 others around the island, including a
swim in the hot springs and lunch on board. Took a half hour nap in the
sun aboard. Andrew befriended and translated for an Italian family of 6
adults... So relaxing!

Pyrgos, Santorini

2010-07-13T00:56:00.001-05:00

What an experience! We arrived from Istanbul around 2.30pm to Santorini
where a bus picked us up and dropped us off at the edge of a little village
and told us "van coming" to take us to our hotel.

As we waited for the van, we saw a man dressed in white coming down the
steep pathway up the hill with a donkey... I made a joke "Andrew, here
comes our van..." and I was right!

He was the porter from the hotel and they have donkeys that pick up your
stuff, then you are escorted up the steep narrow pathways, past charming
white houses, cafes, stores and churches to our hotel which has a
spectacular view of the island!

The photo is a view from our room across the courtyard. It is a suite
built into the rock... Amazing. We walked all around our little town,
which has a castle atop the hill and more winding streets than can be
believed. Dinner at a little cafe at the town square, then coffee and
dessert with the old folk. Such an experience!

Today we take the bus into Fira and explore... That is, after several pool
hours...

Andrew in Greece!

2010-07-12T05:29:00.001-05:00

Time for phyllo bread and we haven't even gotten to Santorini yet... All
smiles!

In front of Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

2010-07-11T08:11:00.001-05:00

Amazing place, amazing day just strolling to see the sights. Highlight
was the Hagia Sophia which feels like a middle age castle complete with old
Byzantine art mixed with Muslim art. A great day!

Now back to rest before Turkish body scrub and back massage before
dinner... Off to Santorini tomorrow!

Dining in Istanbul... What a view!

2010-07-10T13:16:00.001-05:00

Spectacular view from a seafood restaurant on the Bosphorous. Wow!

Spectacular Istanbul

2010-07-04T06:05:00.001-05:00

Wow this place is truly photogenic... Water, hills, mosques on every
corner...

View of Istanbul

2010-07-04T02:40:00.000-05:00

Wow! Beautiful city from what I see so far... A bit of exploring today...
Meeting room is all set and running so now some down time.

Another beautiful day in Cologne

2010-06-28T02:00:00.001-05:00

High of 90 today... A far cry from a high of 60 last week!!

Meetings all day...

Beautiful day in Zuid-Limburg

2010-06-26T08:17:00.001-05:00

In Heerlen having lunch in an outdoor cafe, listening to a jazzy-Sting
style performer who is quite good. Temps in the 80s and lots of shoppers
around...

Today they have an art and architecture celebration in Heerlen and then a
street festival with live music in Ubach over Worms starting at 5pm.

Plan on heading to the hotel, Kasteel Doenrade, after lunch 4ish. Will do
some bike riding tomorrow morning before heading out to Dusseldorf to visit
my friends Monique and Ben, then back to Cologne late Sunday.

Wish Andrew was with me, but otherwise...

Life is great!

-Rhett

Michael Jackson shrine in Cologne

2010-06-25T13:39:00.001-05:00

Truly strange.

Strolling Cologne having a kolsch

2010-06-25T12:40:00.001-05:00

Just adjacent to the river. The river boats are full of tourists and are
playing 'Centerdold' by the J Geils Band, now Simply Red... Of course!
Weather partly cloudy and maybe 75. Just got a haircut. Finally feeling
better after a week with bronchitis.

Ahhhh... Summer in Germany!

Getting ready for World Cup in Cologne

2010-06-23T12:07:00.001-05:00

Houses all decorated and people with flags and face paint going to the
Deutz 'hood behind the hotel to watch Germany an hour from now. Sadly I am
still sick so likely just to watch from hotel...

View of Cologne at night

2010-06-22T15:11:00.000-05:00

Beautiful views from here!

2010-06-19T10:25:00.012-05:00

Cologne
I caught a cold on Lufthansa and I've been sick since I arrived - today no better. But I had to get out a bit or I'd go crazy, so I walked across the bridge from the Hyatt to the city. After 2 minutes I realized my camera battery died, weather turned cloudy and cold, so I left myself with doing museums and will do the sightseeing later - other than the obligatory photo and buying souvenirs for friends and family back home (yes, they DO have snowglobes and thimbles here...)

Then... off to the a museum I found about on-line and what a treat! I went to the NS-Dokumentationszentrum der Stadt Koln, which is in the EL-DE Building and was the headquarters of the Gestapo (Nazi state police) from 1935-45. Not only were thousands of people detained and tortured here, but several hundred were executed in the inner courtyard during the last months of the war, particularly foreigners condemned to forced labor.

What I loved was that after the war, the building was turned into municipal use and the downstairs jail and dungeon untouched; when it was rediscovered in the 1970s and subsequently turned into a museum in 1981 they had a largely intact jail. Over 1,800 carvings and writings from prisoners still exist and detail their experiences - difficult. Upstairs is the Cologne Documentation Centre on National Socialism which talked about the rise of Naziism in Cologne and its effects on the population.

I've got some photos of this below; there were 13 cells, each about 4 ft wide by 14 ft long, and housed up to 30 people! The only toilets were a bucket in each cell; they had showers and flush toilets in a general area between two sets of cells.

Photos, Left to Right: Exterior of Gestapo Prison, Cells in the Prison, Preserved carvings in Russian

In Cologne

2010-06-18T07:48:00.001-05:00

A partly cloudy day... Weather has definitely chilled down. The view
overlooks the city and the famous cathedral.

Unfortunately I caught a cold on the flight in so recovering...

And here I am in Germany watching the world cup in a beergarden and they
are losing to Serbia 0-1. They are passionately upset...

@ Biergarten in Cologne watching World Cup

2010-06-18T06:33:00.001-05:00

Germany vs Serbia

Arrival to Frankfurt Rail Station

2010-06-17T01:06:00.000-05:00

Very confusing and I give Lufthansa a 1 out of 10 for explaining where to
go and how to do this. There are 3 train stations at the airport all in
the same area and my rush hour arrival meant long lines and little help.
But... I finally figured it out and will be in Cologne in an hour!
Definitely need a good shower and a cup of coffee...

Gold Dispensing Machine at Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi

2010-05-30T04:21:00.001-05:00

Unreal.

Al Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi

2010-05-30T01:14:00.001-05:00

Wow. Truly spectacular. Each chandelier weighs 9 tons and has over 1
million Swarovski crystals.

Thoughts on Dubai so far

2010-05-29T02:19:00.001-05:00

What I like:
- great infrastructure
- modern conveniences
- very multi cultural
- watching men in their white robes and women in burkhas amongst westerner
style dress
- dates and nuts and kabobs oh my!
- the clear sky at night set across the creek and the Arabian style Park
Hyatt, right out of the movies
- Modern architecture, especially the Burj Khalifa
- sunshine makes me smile and gives me a quick tan

What I don't like:
- other than the Park Hyatt there is very little traditional Arab buildings
- lots of strip malls and mega malls with endless stores like in the US
- you have to drive everywhere, no urban cultural center
- not a lot of Islamic culture so far
- lamb, so mainstream here it is overwhelming
- sunshine is so so damn hot

Look forward to getting out later today to a bazaar and hang amongst the
locals!

Rhett @ Burj Khalifa

2010-05-28T11:41:00.000-05:00

The tallest building in the world! I also got a tour of the new Armani
hotel. Very nice but monochromatic. Now having dinner at a restaurant in
a souk which is essentially a mall.

Sandstorm in Dubai

2010-05-25T09:27:00.001-05:00

Beautiful morning in Dubai

2010-05-23T23:35:00.000-05:00

2010-05-23T10:13:00.002-05:00

Obligatory Photo

Dubai Skyline

2010-05-23T08:43:00.000-05:00

Behind the boat. Look closely you'll see a tall needle on the left.
That's the Burj Khalifa... Compare to the other buildings and you can see
just how tall it is!

2010-05-23T02:18:00.006-05:00

Dubai

Extremely hot here, probabaly 100 degrees and it isn't even 12pm. The Park Hyatt is built in traditional Arabian style, very understated and pretty. It sits on a creek - across you can see the Dubai skyline and very impressive is the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. Everything is dwarfed compared to it - I'm sure I'll be there one day this week.

Today after my meeting I think I am just going to the pool and relaxing, maybe downtown tonight with my boss for dinner if we feel like it.

I've got several days here so there should be enough time for me to relax as well as to do some sight seeing. Here are some pictures from the hotel; more later.

My suite @ Park Hyatt Dubai

2010-05-22T13:48:00.000-05:00

Wow.

My Seat to Dubai

2010-05-21T23:18:00.001-05:00

2 1/2 hours to Hong Kong, 2 hour layover, 7 1/2 hours to Dubai.

Bangkok live

2010-05-18T20:31:00.001-05:00

All over news they have live broadcasts of the final standoff in Bangkok.
You can hear gunshots all over as reporters are talking. Scary. They
just reported someone shot near them.

We moved our meeting from Bangkok to saigon because of the insurrection.
Imagine if we were there now. Thank god we are not!

Of course CNN isn't showing anything. No surprise that Americans have no
idea.

I hope that there aren't too many injured...

Ho Chi Minh City

2010-05-18T08:54:00.001-05:00

Posters in celebration of Ho Chi Minh's 120th birthday tomorrow.

Dining outside in a traditional Vietnamese restaurant drinking beer like
mad because it must be 85 and 99% humid at 9pm...

Fun!

Ho Chi Minh City

2010-05-17T01:16:00.001-05:00

My second trip. Maybe 92 degrees outside and very, very humid.

Just like last time, more scooters than you can imagine on the streets, 20
for every 1 car. Power lines tangled like string and sagging telephone
poles with their weight. Old buildings torn down with new ones going up
all over. And interspersed is communist propaganda and red flags with a
hammer and sickle.

Many of the shops I visited five years ago are gone. But still plenty
more...

2010-05-15T08:30:00.003-05:00

North Melbourne vs. Adelaide

Wow what fun was that! My colleague Nick's dad is a *booster* for Adelaide. I was invited to club seats, free beer and even to visit the locker room post game and then the post game rally. Amazing! Thank you Nick!!

The game was fun to watch even if Adelaide totally sucked until the 4th quarter. Very easy to follow and it can definitely be addictive. I hope to find some games when I'm back in the States!

My team has to be Nick's team... Go Adelaide! Go Crows!

Ps North Melbourne won 82-73vs Adelaide for the first time in 5 years... For more on the results, click on http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/94358/default.aspx

Same Sex Marriage Rally at the Melbourne Public Library

2010-05-14T22:05:00.001-05:00

This is the part of travel that I love, just running into events like this.
Happy people, a good folk band and the sun is coming out! Yay!!

Tonight I go to an Oz footie game.. But there is a cool exhibit at the
library here about Melbourne so I think I'm going in... Why not, its free!

Then off to queen victoria markets to shop...

Melbourne as seen from the park hyatt

2010-05-10T22:07:00.001-05:00

Beautiful Melbourne!

2010-05-08T23:43:00.001-05:00

A beautiful crisp fall day in Melbourne. Sadly I caught a stomach virus
on the flight here from Bali so the best I can do is get some rest and
watch from my room... Seems mild so I am hopeful I will be ok by tomorrow,
I've lots of work to do!

Andrew is in Bali but on his way to the airport. Should be in Los Angeles
sunday night, but I already miss him!!

Last day in Bali

2010-05-08T00:05:00.001-05:00

Took a bike ride down the beach several kilometers... Lovely breeze off the
water and sun sun sun. Leave for Oz at 5.30 and Andrew goes home
tomorrow...

Talika Masih Bali!

-Rhett and Andrew

Temple at Tanah Lot in Bali

2010-05-07T01:02:00.001-05:00

Beautiful. beach day in Bali

2010-05-06T00:46:00.001-05:00

Balinese dance

2010-05-05T07:04:00.001-05:00

Interesting, very different from a luau! Story about fighting over a woman
-surprise - in a royal family.

A day of rain in Ubud

2010-05-04T04:04:00.001-05:00

Such a shame! Ubud was pouring all day. Still a fabulous place but we
had to stop get a beer or two and people watch to stay out.

Oh well. Saw some great paintings and carvings and statues, not to
mention a great temple before the rain started.

Earlier went to a bird sanctuary with over 1000 species of birds. It was
really amazing and included a whole section on rare species from Papua New
Guinea.

Bali is never boring!

Bali beer... Its hot as hell here!!

2010-05-01T23:00:00.001-05:00

Not even noon yet but probably 90 degrees and 90% humidity. Andrew must
have lost 10 pounds already from sweat!

Walking around Sanur just a short walk from the hotel, getting some basic
necessities... Too hot to do much else.

Love that people smile all the time, they live a hard but happy life and
appreciate the small things...

Tomorrow a day by the pool then a 5 hour spa treatment in our own private
villa at the hotel. Oh my God this is paradise.

Love it!!

Bali Hyatt

2010-05-01T18:51:00.001-05:00

Beautiful view from our room!

Bali Hyatt... Finally!

2010-05-01T07:05:00.001-05:00

Finally got to the hotel nearly 3 hours after landing. The new
immigration policy is terrible... Long lines hot and sweaty. Needs to be
more efficient, apparently the hotel association is complaining...

Hotel is so beautiful, grounds are just amazing... So glad to be here with
Andrew. He's already at the spa...

Such is the life!

Welcome to Bali?!

2010-05-01T03:21:00.001-05:00

New immigration procedures as of 2 wks ago. 90 degree temps and no air
conditioning waiting to get through. 45 minutes and only half way to the
front.

What a way to be welcomed... But great to be here with Andrew! After a
grueling 23 1/2 hour flight he made it here!!

Tsim Sha Tsui Hong Kong

2010-04-30T10:28:00.001-05:00

10PM and tons of people... Headed back to hotel to cheesy fabulous lounge
in hotel at Sha Tin... Having Mai Tais and singing the Carpenters and Billy
Joel with my coworkers...

2010-04-25T18:41:00.002-05:00

Sha Tin, Hong Kong

In the New Territories, which is about 30 minutes from downtown Hong Kong. This seems very suburban (albeit with gorgeous water/mountain views), kinda like how Schaumburg is to Chicago. It feels far away... but there is a train station literally next to the hotel and apparently runs every 3 minutes.

The Hyatt is only a year old, looks great (and has a deadly bakery inside). Will do some exploring later...

2010-04-24T06:24:00.001-05:00

Seoul

What a great day in Seoul. Brunch at the Park Hyatt, then a long subway ride to Namdaenung Market to shop, have stall food and enjoy the nice sunshine. My last night in Seoul. I am sad to leave but excited to see Andrew a week from now in Bali!! Tomorrow... Korean Back Scrub, then a quick flight to Hong Kong!

2010-04-23T03:12:00.002-05:00

Seoul

What an interesting day. I got a chance to hear Michael Breen, a foremost authority on North Korean affairs, address our group of 30 people about leadership. He talked about the differences between the two Koreas and about how individuals need to make choices in leadership - look at the stark contrasts between the decisions made in the North vs South.

Regardless, the opportunity to meet and discuss North Korean affairs in Seoul with one of the foremost authorities was fascinating. He has actually met and had dinner with Kim Il-sung (father of current dictator Kim Jong-il). He mentioned the North Koreans are paranoid, brainwashed to a degree and are made completely dependent on the state through poverty.

One story he mentioned was about this North Korean farmer who lived near the Chinese border. While out walking he got lost and ended up knocking on a door of a nearby farm, not realizing he was in China. When the people answered, as he asked for directions he could see the dog eating rice. He was dumbfounded why someone would feed a dog rice when it is such a rare commodity in North Korea.

Another anecdote was that the people haven't been told that people have landed on the moon, because it would appear pro-American.

I asked if Kim Jong-il was rational: would he press the button? The answer was yes, but he is just strange. Everything is for a specific, well planned reason. For instance, the recent sinking of a South Korean vessel was probably provoked by a North Korean missle. Why? We don't know - why in the world would he do such a thing? Yet there is probably a reason. Maybe it's a show of force to his people becuse there is an imminent transition of power to his son? Maybe it's to distract another internal situation? We don't know. But he wouldn't press the button becuase he would lose what he prizes most: power.

Utterly fascinating. He has an article in today's Korean Times, go here to get it: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2010/04/170_64698.html

2010-04-18T05:24:00.010-05:00

Seoul

What an AMAZING city. I can't even list the reasons why I love Seoul, but let me start my day.

First, I took a cab across the city to one of the many palaces, Gyeongbokgung. Truly beautiful, and I got there early before the crowds. Just a pleasure to walk around and look in the quiet. They are all walled with temples and residences inside along with gardens and walking areas. Very spacious. Beautiful.

I then walked and got lost in the little hills to the east of the palace. It reminded me of San Francisco or Valparaiso, Chile - skinny roads leading to houses with entry only off walkways, up steep stairs. Crazy. Gorgeous. Modern houses next to traditional Korean houses. Every once in a while you run into a cafe or a boutique. Views were spectacular of the city. Just amazing, fun, surprises around every corner. You could spend a week just exploring the tiny roads. Interspersed were streets of blooming cherry blossoms, brilliantly white under the hazy sun.

Then I went to a Buddhist temple (Jogyesa temple) which was absolutely gorgeous, and as it was Sunday many people were inside for prayers. Outside the temple were 10,000 paper lanterns of 100 colors all lined up hanging from sets of poles. It was so beautiful.

The best part was next... a walk through Insadong. It's billed as "antique row" but really a mix of shops of junk, shops of nick-nacks and shops of very nice cloths and antiques. Tons and tons of people, just fun. Then... I walked into a five-story square building with an open courtyard. You can climb each level which is slanted and just keeps going up, one side overlooking the courtyard, the other shops of nick-nacks and cafes. In the middle was a Rock Band playing AMAZING rock music, and on all the balconys overlooking must have been 5,000 kids. It was SO much fun, it was infectuous. I must have stayed an hour just jamming. The band singer looked up at me at the top floor (he was so high from singing, just JAMMIN) and he pointed at me (of course, I'm the only blond for 1,000 miles) and I pointed back. IT WAS AWESOME.

After ambling further down the street, I made walked for a while and hit a river in the city center in which they lined it with a beautiful walkway on both sides and stones to cross it, and waterfalls. A beautiful way to handle an otherwise boring river, it was really nice. Then, off to Myeong-dong which was a massive shopping area that reminded me of Shinkjuku in Tokyo, just a million people and 16 story department stores. It was awesome to hang with all the Koreans going shoppping.

Ended the day with a Cass beer and caught the Hyatt shuttle back to the hotel to check out the amazing night view. Have to start work at 10:30 tonight.

I must say I started the day with no expectation and absolutely loved it. I was exhausted, my senses overloaded with REAL culture. I've heard from so many people over the years that Seoul is a bore. I counter that argument: they must be a bore to think it. It is a true JOY.

2010-04-17T17:39:00.004-05:00

Seoul - First Impressions

The Grand Hyatt is located on a hill atop the city. The late day sun warmed the air as we climbed a the hill, past a US army base and then up the tiny streets of Seoul. Upon arrival, the view is truly spectacular - the city is surrounded by a beautiful river lined with parks and newly blooming cherry blossoms. It feels both calm and alive, and I'm energized to check it out.

Unfortunately, my mobile doesn't work here so I'm going to have to stick with the computer. But unlike China, at least I have access to this blog and facebook!

More impressions after my day's exploration. Then a 5.30pm meeting and setup starts at 11pm.

Last thoughts from Shanghai

2010-04-16T22:24:00.000-05:00

An interesting city. Like Berlin it mixes old buildings with stunning
massive new architecture. Buildings along the Bund river evoke thr early
1900s European influence while across the river new Pudong has buildings
that look like alien spacecraft rising that have landed.
Behind the modern Hyatt only 2 minutes walk takes you to a lower
middle-class neighborhood with sidewalk stalls of exotic and typical
fruits, vegetables, nuts and meats. Fish wiggle in buckets waiting for
doomsday... To be grabbed by their owner, gutted with a screwdriver and
sold for someones dinner. Children play badminton in their school
uniforms in the warm full light of dusk as cats curl around faded underwear
boxes in the windows of general shops. Down the street another 5 minutes
feels a bit more seedy. Suddenly more westerners and 3 star hotels.
Strange until I notice the shops of prostitutes among the convenience
stores and mechanic shops. A little sad, a little strange, but very
interesting. A quick left takes me out of that zone and back to clean
modern streets, as if I teleported to another China.

Now I leave Shanghai in the hotel car with my driver and modern freeways to
be whisked to another hotel car and five star hotel, the Grand Hyatt Seoul.
Yet another adventure on this 3 month tour... Longing to be home but
appreciative of my experiences!

For more go to my blog at http://blogspot.roadretro.com

Peking Duck in Shanghai

2010-04-14T00:11:00.001-05:00

Delicious. Skin is eaten seperately dipped in sugar when hot. Very good!

Shanghai stop the Park Hyatt

2010-04-13T07:07:00.001-05:00

The 87th floor... I'm truly speechless, awestruck. Incredible hotel,
incredible view.

Shanghai at Night

2010-04-12T05:38:00.001-05:00

What an astounding view from the Hyatt

Shanghai

2010-04-10T19:50:00.001-05:00

Dragonfruit typical here. Love it! Also pictures of a fun area I went to
for shopping and dinner. Downtown view...

View from my room in Shanghai

2010-04-10T02:27:00.001-05:00

Wow.

Shanghai

2010-04-10T01:44:00.001-05:00

First glimpse on the way in... Airport 45 mins from hotel downtown... Mix
of fog and smog.. A long flight boy am I glad to be on the ground!

Go State

2010-03-28T19:02:00.000-05:00

What more to say? We are so lucky to have sick privileged kids playing
with such leadership! We love you!

When was the last time you saw a "now hiring" sign? Here in Lahaina...

2010-02-28T00:11:00.001-06:00

When was the last time you saw a "now hiring" sign? Here in Lahaina...
Unemployment at 4.7%

A bit more relaxed in Maui

2010-02-27T20:01:00.001-06:00

A bit more relaxed in Maui, post tsunami.

Photos from Maui Tsunami

2010-02-27T16:57:00.001-06:00

Same location of rocks on beach over a 16 minute period.

12.30 PM
12.40 PM
12.43 PM
12.46 PM

Pretty much low impact, more interesting than dangerous.

Water is retreating

2010-02-27T14:54:00.001-06:00

Very obvious. An hour ago water was much deeper and high tide is in 2
hours. Rocks now popping up.

15 minutes to impact in Hawaii. 30 minutes in Maui.

Ready for the Tsunami

2010-02-27T14:35:00.000-06:00

One hour to impact!

La Perouse on Maui

2010-02-26T18:33:00.001-06:00

Wow.

Morning view of Lana'i from our suite in Maui

2010-02-26T12:22:00.001-06:00

What a great morning! Five more days of relaxation to go....